SPACES
The latest news from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Working to Protect The Ojai Valley’s Future - Today Vol. 12 No. 1 Spring 2005
Preserves Weather Winter Storms
Some areas may not re-open until late spring
Just like much of the Valley and Ventura County, The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s (OVLC) Preserves were affected by the recent winter storms. Preliminary field surveys have revealed isolated damage to some recreational trails and streamside habitat. “In San Antonio Creek and along the Ventura River, water has changed the landscape in significant ways,” explains Preserve Manager Rich Handley.
Confluence Preserve above, before the recent storms and shown above right after the torrential rains
B“Boulders, topsoil and trees are gone in many places, but overall the Preserves seem to have weathered the onslaught of rushing flood waters.” The Ventura RiverRancho El Nido Preserve was temporarily closed in January and certain areas will remain off-limits to the public through spring. For your safety, please check with Conservancy staff before planning a visit and read all information posted at trailheads and throughout the Conservancy’s trail system.
To learn the latest Preserve conditions please visit http://www.ovlc.org/news.asp
and
Ventura RiverRancho El Nido Preserve before
during the recent storms
Conservancy News
October Events Draw Crowds
5K RUN DRAWS MANY
ctober was a busy month for the Conservancy with two successful community events. The first ever 5K Open Space Run and Walk at the Ventura River-Rancho El Nido Preserve drew over 150 runners from around Southern California. The course followed a scenic route through the eastern half of the Preserve and participants received a shirt, refreshments and prizes.
RIDGEWAY SPEAKS TO LARGE CROWD
n October 9, Rick Ridgeway, local resident and worldrenowned adventurer, spoke to a large crowd at the Ojai Playhouse about his most recent travels in Tibet. Ridgeway and other fellow explorers trekked across an unmapped section of Tibet seeking the elusive calving grounds of the endangered Chiru, a threatened antelope. Ridgeway’s riveting tales and colorful multimedia presentation kept everyone in their seats for the full two-hour program. Encouraged by the success of this
OVLC
Environmental Learning Series program, the Conservancy hopes to keep this theme alive in 2005 by hosting another world adventurer.
To learn how you can volunteer to help us with events, at the office and on our preserves, please turn to “How You Can Help” on Page 7.
Rings In New Year With Gala Event
he Rainforest Plant Co. transformed the Oak View Community Center into a lush jungle, setting the tone for this years’ New Years Eve bash. Open space supporters were treated to a delicious buffet, refreshments and great music provided live by the Equilibrium Quintet. Guests enjoyed a silent auction highlighted by the generosity and magnificent pottery of Ojai’s own Otto Heino. In total, the OVLC raised over $14,000 from ticket sales, business sponsorships and auction items.
as Board
John Broesamle, Advisory Council Member Pat Weinberger and Executive Director Jim Engel look on
Special highlights of the evening included presentations of the first ever, “Mother Earth Award,” to former Ojai City Manager Johnny Johnston for his past effort to keep at bay plans for a four lane highway through Ojai. Otto Heino also received special recognition for his generosity to our open space efforts. Please see page 6 for more on the NYE event.
TURNER ESTATE GIFT WILL HELP OPEN SPACE EFFORT
aul and Ollie Turner were longtime Conservancy supporters and their generosity continued with a $40,000 estate gift after Mr.Turner’s passing in 2004.“The Conservancy is very grateful to the Turners for their generosity,trust and belief in our mission,”explains Conservancy President Larry Ragan.Unrestricted estate gifts to the Conservancy are placed in reserve and endowment accounts to help secure the future mission of the organization,provide stewardship for existing preserves,care for over twenty miles of trail and purchase additional open space lands.
Our informative brochure describing how to include the Conservancy in your estate plans is available through the office at 646-7930 or at our website www.ovlc.org/wills_trusts.asp
Your’re never too young!
Johnny Johnston displays his Mother Earth Award
Member
Rick Ridgeway signs copies of his latest book
Upcoming Events
Preserve Bird Walks
Dates: Saturdays, February 19, March 18, April 16, & May 21
Time: Call for time Location: Call for location
Join our birding enthusiasts to learn more about the many colorful birds of the Ojai Valley.
Saturday Mornings
At The River
San Juan River Rafting Adventure
Dates: April 4-9, 2005 • Location: Bluff, Utah Spring will be here before we know it! Time to make your final plans and join our rafting adventure on the San Juan River in southeastern Utah, while benefiting the Conservancy. Cost is $940/adults and $853/children. For more details about this extraordinary opportunity, please call our office for a packet: 646-0251.
Wildflower Walk At Ilvento
Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 9:00 am
Dates: Saturdays, February 26, March 26 & May 28
Time: 9:00 am • Location: Riverview Trailhead
Join Preserve Manager Rich Handley and learn all about the natural wonders of the Ventura River Preserve.
Walk On The Wild Side:
Rancho El Nido Preserve
Dates: Fridays, March 11, April & May 6
Time: 9:00 am • Location: Riverview Trailhead
Hikers will have a chance to learn about the wild side of the Ventura River and learn about the challenges the Conservancy faces in restoring native habitat. Good hiking shoes, water and a snack are required for this two and half hour exploration.
Location: Fox Street Park & Ride
Preserve Manager Rich Handley will lead a wildflower walk on the Land Conservancy’s 80-acre Ilvento Preserve. Don’t miss this once a year opportunity.
Our events offer something for everyone
Welcome To New Board Members, Officers and Staff
Anew year at the OVLC means thanking outgoing board members, while welcoming new board and officers to the organization. This year the OVLC has invited George Berg and Barry Betlock to join our board. George, a retired engineer, has lived in the Valley since 1984 and has been a long-time supporter of the OVLC’s mission. He also brings a strong background in strategic planning, which will help us plan for the future. Barry Betlock is a local realtor and another strong believer in our vision. He has been a member of the OVLC events committee for several years and hopes to help the organization grow.
Officers are chosen from the existing board of directors. This year’s officers include: Larry Ragan , President; Sally Coleman , Vice President; Barbara Washburn , Treasurer; and Allan Jacobs, Secretary.
Jane Lax, our new membership Outreach Director, joins the Conservancy staff with a wealth of community involvement, event planning and fundraising background. She was born and raised in Santa Paula and loves that open space protection is an important priority to Ojai Valley residents. During the coming year, Jane will become a familiar face in the community and she is looking forward to meeting as many local people as possible.
Peter Brand and Sue Bee bird watch during one of the monthly walks sponsored by OVLC
Jane Lax
George Berg
Barry Betlock
OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY
Post Office Box 1092
Ojai, California 93024
Office Phone • (805) 646-7930
Fax • 646-0253
Events Hotline • (805) 646-0251
Street Address:
250 E. Ojai Ave. #B • Arcade Plaza
Website • www.ovlc.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Ragan • President
Sally Coleman • Vice President
Barbara Washburn • Treasurer
Allan Jacobs • Secretary
George Berg
Barry Betlock
John Broesamle
Roger Essick
Jim Exon
Ellen Hall
Marc Larson
Wendy Lockwood
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Caryn Bosson
Vickie Byrne
Fred Bysshe
Thad Hyland
Jim Jackson
Joan Kemper
Philip Moncharsh
Steve Olsen
Alan Rains
Michael Shapiro
Nina Shelley
Spencer Silver
Mansfield Sprague
Carl Thelander
David Trudeau
Pat Weinberger
Allan West
STAFF
Jim Engel • Executive Director ovlc@ojai.net
Richard Handley • Preserve Manager ovlcpreserve@ojai.net
Jane Lax • Membership Outreach Director ovlcmembership@ojai.net
Salutations And Best Wishes for 2005
My name is Larry Ragan and I was recently chosen to be your president. I am very much honored to assist in leading this vital organization, and even more honored to be mentored by our outgoing president, Jim Jackson. Jim has been an extraordinary presence as a member, a three-term president, and as a citizen of the Ojai Valley. I know that all of you will join me in thanking him for his service to our organization and our community. Fortunately, Jim will continue to volunteer and assist the board and its committees.
I suppose you might be wondering about who I am and how I got to be your president? My wife, Laura, and son, Walker, and I moved here in September 2001. Laura grew up in Santa Barbara, and I lived there for twenty years, before, during and after attending UCSB. I graduated from UCSB with an Environmental Studies degree in 1980. In 1988 we moved to Boise, Idaho, where soon after began publishing a weekly alternative newspaper. Upon selling the paper and spending a few months assisting a public access station launch in Boise, we decided to move back to Southern California and be near Laura’s parents. We love the Ojai Valley for all its beauty, and have grown especially fond of its community spirit. I remain active, in a part time capacity, with a wind energy company actively preparing a site for development in S.E. Idaho.
I also spent three years working with a land trust in the Boise area. Although we were young and had nary a small portion of the success seen by OVLC here in Ojai, it helped me to understand the workings of what it takes to develop the “asks”, and funds to begin to acquire lands for protecting. I will apply these past skills, with the help of our board, members, and volunteers to continue to place our organization in good standing with all segments of our community so that we may continue acquiring and protecting vital lands of our impressive valley.
This being my first President’s Message to our members, I consider myself extremely fortunate to report that 2004 was a banner year for the Conservancy in many departments. Preliminary numbers indicate that we were very successful in exceeding goals set for the organization. We all tip our hats to John Broesamle and
the fund raising committee for its hard work and excellent results.
We also have seen many people using all of our great properties for any number of wonderful uses.
Whether it’s a sack lunch at Cluff Vista Park, or a family hike through the trails of the Ventura River-Rancho El Nido or Ojai Meadows Preserves, it is heart warming to see the preserves being put to full use by folks of all walks of life. On a bike ride one day I saw other bikers parked along the bike path enjoying our latest acquisition, the Confluence Preserve. We spoke about its importance in the balance of the river ecosystem, and when they left I knew they had gained a better understanding and respect for this small in size, large in value acquisition.
I thank you again for your membership and volunteering activities. I hope to see you on any of our safeguarded areas. We’ll share.
Leave A Legacy
Give A Gift For Future Generations Of The Ojai Valley
Please join the more than twenty families and individuals who have included the Conservancy in their will or trust. Consider the lasting impact of an estate gift for the preservation of the natural and agricultural heritage of the Ojai Valley. Your contribution will be used for:
•Preserving critical open spaces like the Ventura River Preserve
•Restoring important natural habitats
•Educating our community to be better stewards of our open spaces
If you have already named us in your estate plans, let us thank you for your generous gift and welcome you to the Conservation Legacy Circle.
For a confidential inquiry about helping to protect the future and beautyof this valley, please contact the Conservancy office at 646-7930 or vist www.ovlc.org/wills_trusts.asp.
Larry Ragan
Renewals
Every year, more than a thousand of our members choose to renew their membership. Thank you for your exceptional support! We are happy to recognize the following individuals and businesses who have renewed their membership since November. Your loyalty is greatly appreciated.
John & Lisa Adair
Ren & Victoria Adam
Village Publishing
Tucker & Phil Adams
Dolli Alexander
David & Kathryn Allen
David Allen & Co.
Michael Allen
Jill Andre
Patty & Ross Atkinson
Nancy & David Babbott
Barbara Balderman
Evelyn Baran
Todd & Alicia Beaty
Larry Beatty & Sultana Parvanta
Steve Bennett & Leslie Ann Ogden
Allen Bertke & Liz Currie
Richard & Jean Booth
Clark & Zoe Bowers
Barbara Bowles
Dr. Brockman & Dr. Tsao
Topa Topa Optometry
Lisa, Kalie, & Tori Brown
Stanford & Eleanor Brown
Rinaldo & Lalla Brutoco
Sandy Buechley
Rowe & Molly Burgett
Sespe Farm
Management
Philip & Cindy Burton
Fred & Judy Bysshe
Myrna &Jim Cambianica
Allen & Marilyn Camp
James & Terri Capito
Michael Case
Charles Casey & Ingrid Boutring
Sheri Ann Cate
Terry & Kathy Chaffee
Alice Chesley
Jim & Fran Christiansen
Jim Churchill & Lisa Brenneis
Martha Churchyard
Coast Valley Land
Surveying, Inc.
Jim & Dottie Combs
Roger Conrad & Ruthie Marks
Mackey & Gary Crampton
Evie & Bain Dayman
Lanyard & Mary Dial
Peter & Heidi DiCapua
Margaret Dieges
Sally & David Disco
Marcia Doty & Celeste Matesevac
Sanford & Christine Drucker
Cynthia Duncan & John Hall
Bonnie Durland
Hugo & Linda Ekback
Marjorie Emerson
Andrew & Sharon Engel
Donald & Rose Engel
Gary & Brenda Farr
John & Marjorie Fay
Don & Sheila Cluff
Karen Fay
Dick & Kay Felton
Jim & Kris Finch
Frances Fitting
Friends Ranches
Friends Stable & Orchard
Jerry & Dixie Fullerton
Sue Fuhr mann&
Ronald Hamlen
Donald Garrett
Saline Processors
Lee & Betty Gibson
Ken & Cheryl Glass
Christine Golden
Patrick & Darlene Gorey
Carl &
Marian Greenfield
Michael & Hannelore Gresser
Charles & Pauline
Gustafson
Harold & Jo-Anne Guy
Emma &
Jonathan Greene
Charley & Betsy Griswold
George & Mary Hakes
Larry & Pat Hartmann
Don & Ruth Hauser
Carrie Herziger
Karen Hesli
Gary & Sue Horgan
Norma C. Hughes
Donald & Ruth Hauser
Thad &
Cassandra Hyland
David & Sage Intner
Charles & Willa Irwin
George Jaidar & Malchia Olshan
Willoughby C. Johnson
Joann & Carl Johnston
Debbie Johnstone
David & Deborah Junod
Anne & Gerald Kaplan
Howard & Myrna Kayton
Wes & Beth Kent
Carolyn & Todd Kuhn
Dan Kurilchyk
Royal Cleaners
Carol Langford
Ruth & Bob Lasell
Tom &Rebecca Lowe
David Magney
Bo & Julie Manson
Victoria Matthews
Walter & Franna McCleland
Michael & Julie McFadden
Robert & Susan McMahan
Marion Mc Isaac
Cookie & Bill Miley
Ruth Miller
Geraldine & Dean Miner
Vyvian Mohr
Phil Moncharsh
Chuck & Therese Montag
Laurel Moore & Arne Schmidt
Gerald Murphy
Rudolph & Elizabeth Nava
Nye-Powell
Honda-Group
Pamela Nye
Angela & Anthony Ocone
Dietrich & Jacquelyn Pahnke
Muriel Parfitt
John Pavelko
Carol Peterson & Curt Mossestad
Ron & Judy Polito
Joel Priest & Marianna Anthonisen
Earl & Alice Ragland
Robert & Alice Rene
John & Jeanne Rennell
Kathy Richards
Scott Ripple
Paul & Kathleen Rogers
Larry Rose & Lisa Larramendy
Lee & Katherine Rosenboom
Shannon Rowan
John & Peggy Russell
Amy Schneider
John & Theressa Schneider
Penny & Bill Sechrest
Bil & Jill Shanbrom
Bill & Dolores Shouse
Dr. Daniel Silver
Laurie & John Slade
Howard & Edie Smith
Henry Joseph Sohn III
Susan Speer & Gene Miller
Mansfield & Chilant Sprague
Louise Stubblefield
Robert B. Tallyn
Victor & Paula Theis
Anna Thomas
Timothy Thomas & Sarah Clark
Terry Thompson& Louisa Hagen
James & Sally True
Bob & Virginia Unruhe
Helene & John Vachet
Wendy Varian & Richard Bradley
Bill & Nancy Voyer
Dr. & Mrs. Mort Vinecour
Jakob & Marianne Vos
Liz & Doug Vernand
Roger & Kathryn Wachtell
Ruth Walker
Barbara R. Watson
Bill & Kathryn Wechter
Allen & Joyce West
Elizabeth & JB White
Cheryl & Monte Widders
George Wymer
Larry & Kathleen Yee
Jim Jackson Family
The Snell Family
The Snell Family
The Jackson’s of Ojai I N H ONOR O F
Sandy Buechley CLUFF VISTA PARK RENEWAL FUND
Jocelyne Lussier
Given by Wendy Lockwood: Glenn & Kerri Griffee
Leslie
NEW MEMBER FORM
Patagonia
Please make check payable
Thank You
The following individuals played an important role in the success of the New Year’s Eve Celebration.
Andi Bloom/Tottenham Court
Linda Caldwell
Debi Cloud
Nancy Pepper
Barbara Landan & Robert Coit
Allan & Janet Jacobs
Marc Larson
Sally Coleman
Nancy Voyer
Wendy Lockwood
Vivienne Moody
Jim & Susan Jackson
Ginny Winfield
Leta Cremer
Julie & Ernie Rischar
Carol Langford
Claire Clarke
John Grant
Patsy & Harold Glenn
Joyce & Rod Greene
Bob & Virginia Unruhe
Catherine Lee
Chris & Barry Betlock
Linda Phillips
Vivienne Moody
Nancy Thomas
Stefanie & Willi Coeler
Carolejo & Robert Adams
Barbara Washburn
Lee Cannaday
Jane & Milt Lax
Cookie Miley
Jim Engel, Jr.
Joan VogelThe Ojai Cook
Sylvia Raz
NEWYEAR ’ S EVECELEBRATION
MID-STATE BANK
COLDWELL BANKER PROPERTY SHOPPE
BIORESOURCE CONSULTANTS
DAVID BURY & CO ARCHITECTS
HERITAGE FINANCIAL NOAH’S APOTHECARY
NYE & NELSON, INC
WAITE, JACOBS & ATKINSON LAW FIRM
BART’S BOOKS GROVE CARE MEINERS OAKS ACE HARDWARE PRIMAVERA
SPONSORS
Friends of the Ojai Valley
Thank you to the following members who have provided generous unrestricted membership gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more since November.
Peter & Susan Cheney
Coldwell Banker
Property Shoppe
Carol Bishop
Tom & Becky Collins
Arie & Ida Crown
Memorial
Ojai Valley Inn
Jurgen & Gerry
Gramckow
Martin & Linda
Gramckow
Frank & Linda Granat
Wyatt & Claudia Harris
Winne Hirsch
Jerry & Kerry Holden
Carolyn Huntsinger
Jerry & Kristayani Jones
Mrs. Ann Derby Joy
Pat Jump
Joan Kemper
Milt & Jane Lax
Dick & Barbara Lowenthal
Thomas & Barbara Malley
Ruthie Marks
Stephen Matzkin & Melissa Wolfe
Lori & Larry Mohr
Susan Guy & Kenneth Niessen
Larry & Laura Ragan
Edward & Jane Shapiro
Michael Shapiro
Dewey Schorre
Jill & Scott Silver
Terry & Cricket Twichell
John & Ginger Wilson
TSpecial Thanks
Ren & Victoria Adam for the full page ad in the Ojai Valley Directory.
Jim BarrettandLeanne Campbell for helping construct water bars on the Wills Canyon Trail.
Boy Scout Troop 504 and Bill O’Brien for helping remove tamarisk from the Ventura River.
Stefanie and Willi Coeler for rescuing vandalized trail signs from the Ventura River.
Jim Jackson, Carl Thelander and David Trudeau for their dedicated years of board service and protection of open space.
Jane Lax for joining the Conservancy’s staff and already adding so much to our success.
Sheri Mayta, Tiffany Owens and Ken Niessen for mapping invasive arundo donax in the Ventura River Preserve.
Annual Fund Gifts
Lerie Bjornstedt
Clark & Zoe Bowers
Alex & Kris Brodie
Anne Littler Brown & David Brown
Claire Clark
Paul Dentzel
Jon Dieges
Hugo & Linda Ekback
Roger & Pat Essick
Frederick & Dana Fleet
William Girvetz
Don & Ruth Hauser
Mike & Elizabeth Hermes
Nancy Kochevar & Michael Lurie
Jonathan & Linda Lambert
Steve Matzkin
Devin May
Betty McCurley
Michael & Jay Mulligan
Marty & Barbara Pops
Heather Shoup & James Calkins
Charles & Linda Simon
William J. Spellman
Glenn True & Kathleen McCann-True
Arthur & Judith Vander
Dorothy & Anthonie Voogd
Earl & Marcia Wakelee
Barbara Watson
Sarah White
N EW M EMBERS
Helen Miller for providing great barbecued chicken at our summer volunteer patrol potluck.
The New Year’s Eve event committee and volunteers for their tireless efforts in making this event so much fun and successful.
John Pavelko for volunteering to build a beautiful bench for the Rancho El Nido Preserve.
Jill Greene-Silver for smoothly organizing our year-end mailing.
David and Edie Skaggs for again graciously hosting our Conservancy Legacy Circle Event at The Ranch House.
Sanne Wallevik for keeping the OVLC office running efficiently during December.
Bill and Sue Wilmer for generously donating a LaserJet printer.
hank you to our 31 new members for their exceptional support.The Conservancy’s success in the last year is due to the generous financial and volunteer support of our members.
Dr. James T. Beaty
Briana & Steve Beebe
Morag E. Christie
John & Harriet Clise
Charles Cook & Marty Fujita
Michael Crooke & Amy Dozier
Monica Eiserling
Karen & William Evenden
Bill & Pam Hicks
Leslie Howa
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Jones
Carol Ann Koz
Ed & Barbara Kutchma
Ellen Kaufmann
Beverly Lavenson
Thomas & Janice McCormick
Roger McDivitt
Paula Power
Stephen J.M. Morris
Properties, LLC
Stephen Schutzman
Phil & Corlette Walker
Mr. John Wilson
Robert & Katy Zappala
Open Space Is Good For Ojai and Good For Business
How You Can Help
Who Are The Friends Of The Ojai Valley?
The OVLC is offering new annual sponsorship opportunities for local businesses. This unique sponsorship program will let our conservationminded community know that you and your business support our successful efforts to protect the Valley’s vanishing open spaces.
Please visit http://www.ovlc.org/sponsor_list.asp or call us at 646-7930 to learn about the many benefits of this program
Ventura River Level ($5,000) ~ Mid-State Bank
Ojai Meadows Level ($2,500) ~ Icon Shoes
San Antonio Creek Level ($1,000) ~ Ojai Valley News ~ Patagonia
Sulphur Mountain Level ($500) ~ The Ranch House Restaurant
The Conservancy now offers the convenience and safety of online giving. This is a great way to make your membership, special gift, campaign pledge or business sponsorship contribution without leaving home.
Outdoor Volunteer Opportunities Online Giving
Help make our preserves enjoyable for everyone and experience the great outdoors. Opportunities range from leading walks, clearing trails, educating visitors, restoring critical habitat for the benefit of wildlife and people and so much more.
Please visit www.ovlc.org/donating_online.asp to learn how
Office
Please contact Rich Handley at 646-7930 or ovlcpreserve@ojai.net
The Friends of the Ojai Valley is a small group of fifty-two visionary conservation minded people who generously contribute an unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more over a period of one year. Members of the “Friends” understand that safeguarding our vanishing open spaces requires a proactive organization that has the resources necessary to respond to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and develop longterm relationships with conservation- minded landowners. Friends receive tours of future open space protection efforts, gatherings at local ranches and estates and personal updates on Conservancy projects. In addition, there is the satisfaction of knowing that their gift is helping to secure a better future for the Valley and all of our community. Become a FOTOV supporter for a minimum of $83 per month, $250 per quarter or $500 twice a year.
Events
xperience the energized center of our open space protection effort in the Ojai Valley. We need people to prepare mailings, answer phones and greet visitors, put together information boards, develop flyers, organize files, distribute newsletters and flyers around the Valley, etc.
S E
Please contact Jane Lax at 646-7930 or ovlcmembership@ojai.net for more information
o many choices to choose from! (see page 3 for more event information). The Conservancy needs volunteers to plan events, oversee other volunteers, check-in event participants, decorate event sites, set-up and take down tables and chairs, prepare food, serve food and drinks, and so much more. It’s fun, please join us!
Please contact Jane Lax at 646-7930 or ovlcmembership@ojai.net for more information
Open Space Benefits Community Health And Safety
Protecting wetlands, streams and rivers is often justified as an important key for safeguarding wildlife, but these endangered ecosystems also offer many benefits to local communities. Rivers, streams and wetlands found in the Ojai Valley and elsewhere are vital components for watershed health and are as important to us as blood vessels and kidneys are to the human body.
Wetlands are nature’s filtering systems and help control water pollution by absorbing harmful pollutants. Healthy streams and rivers with sufficient open space buffers also recharge ground water supplies, deliver sand to our beaches and help minimize flooding and the destruction of homes and other structures. Purchasing open space for these purposes can help to avoid installing costly taxpayer funded structures such as levees and water filtration systems.
The OVLC is currently managing and maintaining five open space preserves with over three miles of the Ventura River, four miles of tributary streams and one of the last remaining wetlands in the Ojai Valley. The OVLC’s open space preserves also serve as living classrooms where school children and adults learn about wetland functions and explore the importance of these special areas to human and natural communities.
Flood waters rush through the Ventura River Preserve